Toronto Teacher Mom

Oh, Amazon.ca! You Had Me at "Savings"

In 2004, I made my first purchase on Amazon.ca. I was engaged to be married to my then fiancé who was about to celebrate his 33rd birthday. With so many things to prepare before our big day, did I really want to waste time at the mall trying to find the ideal birthday gift? Of course not. I still had invitations to make, a honeymoon to plan and, to top it off, I had to help my parents pack up our old house to prepare for a big move right before my bridal shower. Nope. I needed a convenient, stress-free solution. And so I turned to online shopping and purchased some DVD collections of the first few seasons of his favourite sitcom "All in the Family", which just so happened to be on sale. Score!

Fast forward to 13 years later. We now have a family of our own, full-time jobs and hectic schedules. And if you had told me back then that I would be running a successful blog while simultaneously juggling mom life, housework and a teaching career, I would have laughed in your face. Yet, here we are. I can't say that I have perfected any of my roles as either a mom, a wife, a teacher or a blogger, but I've become pretty good at online shopping and saving myself some undue stress by signing up for Amazon Prime so I can enjoy fast free shipping. I'm a woman of convenience so it only made sense to partner up with one of my favourite online retailers Amazon.ca. I am excited to announce that, for the next several months, I will be sharing some fabulous sales on Amazon.ca, including Amazon Prime early access deals. I've also registered as an Amazon Associate and look forward to sharing my favourite finds, such as my most recent purchase which included:

Mosiso Plastic Hard Case with Keyboard Cover and Screen Protector for my new MacBook Air 13 inch. It was super easy to install and the screen protector was a nice added bonus. The keyboard cover is easily removed and the baby pink case is translucent so you can still see the logo when lit. It currently retails for $23.99 and is eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

VicTsing Wireless Doorbell Kit Portable Waterproof Doorbell Kit to replace our old wireless doorbell. Unlike our battery operated doorbell, this one features a small receiver that plugs directly into the wall. The waterproof pushbutton transmitter can be screwed to the wall or adhered using the double-sided tape that comes with it. It has a bunch of fun melodies from which to choose but I stuck with a basic ring. My favourite feature? The volume control. Can we say, "Zzzz!" This kit currently retails for $18.99 and is also eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

8PACK Sticky Anti-Slip Gel Pads which I have been wanting to try for the longest time. I currently use one in my Jeep to hold my iPhone while driving and my daughter uses them to hang fan art featuring her favourite K-pop band. If they get dirty or covered with dust, you can just clean them with water to renew stickiness. The 8-pack currently retails for $10.99 and is also eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

There are so many other great finds that I can't wait to share with you. And, when I upgrade my iPhone and pass down my older model to my daughter, I'm sure she'll want to share which Sonix iPhone case she picks out, too!

Disclosure: I have partnered with Amazon.ca to bring you this post, which contains affiliate links, and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Sunday, September 10, 2017
9 Comments

Cartridge-Free Printing with Epson's Expression ET-3600 EcoTank Printer

Back to School

Back-to-school is right around the corner which means it's a busy time for families and teachers alike. We're trading in our lazy mornings and late nights for jam-packed schedules of homework and extra curricular activities. And yes, teachers have homework, too! As I prepare for another school year and ensure my two kids are just as prepared, the furthest thing from my mind is running out of printer ink. This year, however, that will be one less thing I have to worry about thanks to the Epson Expression ET-3600 All-in-One Supertank printer.

While we loved our Epson Expression Premium XP-630 Small-in-One printer, the wireless EcoTank is a welcome upgrade. This revolutionary printer comes with enough ink to print up to 11,000 black and 8,500 colour pages, the equivalent of about 50 cartridges. That means we can go up to two years before replacing any ink! Of course, print times and ink yields will vary depending on a variety of factors such as frequency, print settings and images printed. But I've been using our EcoTank for several months now and the ink levels are still high despite how much I have printed. And that includes dozens of Google CS First double-sided passports and other materials that I printed onto cover stock paper and assembled for our school's first coding club.

My daughter has been giving our new EcoTank a workout this summer as well. She has been printing endless photos of her favourite pop singers and plastering them all over her new school supplies. But because I can easily check on the ink levels through the semitransparent windows on the side of the EcoTank, I know I don't have to worry about running out of ink any time soon. And when I do, I just have to top up with Epson’s ultra low-cost ink replacement bottles (as low as $18.29 each).

Of course, we also love the Wi-Fi feature and being able to print from any of our computers, tablets or even our cell phones with ease. And the photo quality is great, as we've come to expect from Epson. At my daughter's birthday party last month, I took a group photo and sent to print on 4x6 glossy photo paper directly from my iPhone. It was a great memento that her friends got to take home with them once the party was over.

The Epson Expression ET-3600 EcoTank All-in-One Supertank Printer can also copy and scan documents and holds 150 sheets. It retails for $529.99 but it is currently on sale for $449.99. You can purchase it online at Epson.ca as well as at Staples. And teachers, don't forget you can save an additional 10% on technology on select Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Friday, September 01, 2017
6 Comments

Fidget Cubes and ZURU Spinners

Fidget Toys

In the Huffington Post article "Why Do We Fidget?", the author explores the possibility of a biological reason behind why people fidget. According to Karen Pine, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire who researches gesturing, the area of the brain involved in movement is also the same area of the brain involved in speech. (This makes a lot of sense to me and is one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to using the AIM approach in my French as a Second Language classes this year.) Think about it: could you go through an entire conversation without ever once using your hands, shaking your head, shrugging your shoulders or using facial expressions? The article references a study of schoolchildren between the ages of six and eight who were able to move their hands during a lesson and were more likely to get the correct answer. I find the whole thing very interesting and, whether or not fidget toys can help boost productivity or relieve stress, I can tell you my son really enjoys them and likes to use his new ZURU Fidget Cube and Spinner at school all the time.

As a teacher, I can tell you that you that spinners have become widely popular among students of all ages. I love playing with them, too! They are almost mesmerizing and definitely have a calming effect. But some of the spinners I've seen are pretty loud when the spin. And even louder when they accidentally crash to the floor. The ZURU Spinner by Antsy Labs is specially designed with high quality materials for premium durability and the ball-bearings feature the latest in low-friction technology. However, I prefer the original Fidget Cube. Made with high-quality plastic, it is quite durable, unlike the copy fidget cube I spent way too much on only to have the round button fall off within a matter of days. Nope. My son's Fidget Cube by Antsy Labs has held up very well and the buttons have a slightly audible click that he finds to be "satisfying".

The main reason I like the Fidget Cube is its size. It is substantial enough for adult hands and yet small enough that children can play with them discreetly. These fidget cubes and spinners are just some of the innovative toys manufactured by ZURU Toys, the makers of Bunch O Balloons. You can find them at Toys R Us and other select retailers.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, August 31, 2017
5 Comments

Douglas - The All-Canadian Mattress

House and Home

You know what I love? A good night's sleep. Mattress hunting, on the other hand, I could definitely live without. It's pretty hard to find the perfect mattress that both my husband and I will agree on. He likes a medium mattress, I like mine firm. So when I was asked to test a complimentary Douglas bed-in-a-box that only comes in a medium-firm, I initially thought it couldn't possibly be a good fit for us. A queen size mattress that comes rolled up in a box? I quietly laughed at myself when I accepted the offer, feeling a little naive to believe it could replace our current, luxury mattress that came with an equally luxurious price tag. And I laughed again once it arrived, shrink-wrapped and rolled up like a sushi roll. And then I had a forehead-slap moment when I unraveled the roll to find it was about the width of a twin bed when I had expressly requested a queen bed. And then...

This. Is a bed. In a box! Testing out the all-Canadian mattress by @sleepdouglas and feeling blessed. #douglasbed #novosbed #bed #bedtime #mattress #mattressinabox #rest #sleep #dreams #sweetdreams #madeincanada #memoryfoam #memoryfoammattress #productreviews #queensizebed #twitter

A post shared by Diana Mancuso (@torontomom) on Jul 7, 2017 at 1:04pm PDT

And then I removed the shrink wrap and, like magic, the mattress grew. It grew and it grew and it grew. I cannot tell you how but it expanded to the perfect fit for our queen bed frame. I was amazed. But still not convinced. Certainly a mattress that could be shrunk to about a sixth of its size couldn't be firm enough to sleep on. But it was. Even if my brain couldn't comprehend it, the rest of my body confirmed it. The Douglas bed was indeed a firm enough bed for me! And comfy. Oh, so comfy! In fact, I rush to bed at night, I look forward to it so much. But would my husband like it? I patiently waited for him to come home from work and try it out. His response: "Not bad!" And for someone as critical as my husband, "not bad" is the equivalent of "I'm impressed."

Designed exclusively for Canadians, the Douglas bed by Novosbed has three layers of high-quality foam:

2” Luxury ecoLight™ Cooling Gel Foam to deliver active cooling since it won’t retain heat. It is just as durable, responsive, and luxurious as high density memory foam but it won't feel like quicksand.
2” Premium Elastex™ Foam that is as durable, supportive, and responsive as natural Latex foam. It is made without any of the harmful, allergy-causing chemicals found in many Latex mattresses.
6” Motion Isolation Support Foam that eliminates motion transfer between sleepers without sacrificing edge support, kind of like millions of tiny pocket-coil springs.

All of this wrapped in a Douglas CoolSense™ Cover, a washable cover made with Natural Eucalyptus Fabric™ that draws moisture away, leading to a cool, dry night. The Douglas bed offers best-in-class spinal alignment for side sleepers, balanced support for back sleepers and pressure-point relief for stomach sleepers. But my favourite is the motion isolation support foam with enhanced edge support. Our previous mattress had a pillow top the curved slightly at the edge which made it feel like I was going to roll off the side. With the Douglas bed, I now feel like I have more space to enjoy.

Yet, even more than the firmness and the edge-to-edge support, I'd have to say that I am really impressed with the Douglas Environmental Commitment.

Douglas’ ecoLight™ foam is a 4th-generation memory foam, designed to have the same durability as high-density memory foams with only half the carbon footprint. Using 50% less carbon in your mattress means that your Douglas is lighter, more breathable, and can be delivered using less fuel.

Douglas beds are made with renewable materials and entirely in Canada!

Douglas covers are crafted using sustainable Natural Eucalyptus Fabric™. Eucalyptus trees grow quickly with little water and virtually no pesticides. The trees are then turned into raw organic fibre using a 99.5% efficient closed-loop process – which produces almost zero waste. This organic fibre is then spun into durable thread that we use to create the unique cover of every Douglas mattress.

By manufacturing and shipping exclusively in Canada, Douglas’ carbon footprint is greatly reduced. All 3 foam layers, fabrics, covers, and even packaging are sourced from Canadian suppliers and the finished product is crafted in Ontario, Canada.

A twin Douglas bed currently retails for $649 and ranges up to $899 for a king. Just make sure you have a compatible base to properly support your Douglas mattress. Since they are an E-commerce business based in Edmonton, AB, each mattress includes a 120-Night Trial and 100% free returns. It didn't take that long for us to know we loved it, though. We were pretty much convinced at around the 30-day mark. We have officially thrown out our old mattress!

Win a Douglas by Novosbed Mattress!

One winner will receive one Douglas mattress in his/her preferred size! This latest giveaway ends on September 30, 2017 and is open to Canadian residents only. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Friday, August 25, 2017
3 Comments

How to Become an Apple Teacher

Apple Teacher

Did you know that the Apple Teacher Learning Program recently launched in Canada? I finally sat down to my computer this morning and set out to become an Apple Teacher by earning a series of badges via the Apple Teacher Learning Center. After successfully completing 13 quizzes, I am now an Apple Teacher with Swift Playgrounds Recognition and have myself a shiny new signature to add to my little collection. If you are interested in becoming an #AppleTeacher, you can do so in six easy steps:

Sign up for the Apple Teacher program at appleteacher.apple.com using your personal Apple ID. If you do not have one, click here to create an Apple ID. And yes, it's free!
Create a profile by completing the required information, such as your school and school board.
Choose either Badges for iPad or Badges for Mac. You must earn all eight badges by successfully completing quizzes in either one or the other to receive your Apple Teacher recognition. It cannot be a combination of both. However, you can always complete both collections should you feel so inclined. Badges for iPad include: iPad - Pages for iPad -Keynote for iPad - Numbers for iPad - iMovie for iPad - GarageBand for iPad - Productivity with iPad - Creativity with iPad. Badges for Mac are similar to Badges for iPad.
Select a badge and click on "View" in the pop-up window. You can then either download the corresponding Apple Teacher guide into iBooks, refer to the online help pages or attend in-store workshops to become more familiar with the content.
Once you are ready, you can complete the quiz at the bottom of the badge page. There are typically five questions that are either fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, or re-order sequence questions. You must receive 80% to receive the badge, which means you can get by if you make one mistake. The good news is you can always review the content and restart the quiz again if you need to.
After completing all eight badges, you will earn your Apple Teacher recognition. You will receive an email with information on how to download the signature and guidelines on how to use it.

As an Apple Teacher, you will now have access to Badges for Swift Playgrounds. Earning Apple Teacher with Swift Playgrounds Recognition follows the same format as Apple Teacher. The main difference is that there are only four badges required, as opposed to eight. I do recommend that you download Swift Playgrounds onto your iPad if you haven't already done so and explore the Learn to Code 1 lessons, especially if you are new to programming.

Our school is getting a series of new iPads and I can't wait to share some of the tips I've learned so far. And I also look forward to learning more on the Apple Teacher Learning Center. But could we just get an extra week of summer vacation? I still have so much more to learn!

Sunday, August 20, 2017
7 Comments

Canada 2067 - Shaping the Future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Canada 2067

Several years ago, I attended a conference on 21st century learning and one of the keynote speakers made a comment that has stuck with me ever since. He pointed out that we are teaching in "the most disruptive moment in education," in a time of great change. As excited as I was to learn that the future of education promised great innovation, the thought also terrified me. There were so many questions, so many unknowns, so many variables to consider. How on earth could I possibly consolidate the ways in which I was taught as a student and the methodologies of my current teaching practice with the needs of my students, so that they may thrive in the ever-evolving world of tomorrow? [Insert deep breath here.] Though daunting as it may appear to navigate through these uncharted waters, there is one thing I know for sure: science, technology, engineering and math will each play a greater role than ever before in the future of our children. For this reason, I am thrilled to partner with Canada 2067, a national initiative to unite Canadians around a new vision for youth STEM learning, focusing on Kindergarten to Grade 12.

In order to shape the future of STEM learning across our great nation, Canada 2067 is using the perspectives and opinions of Canadians to develop an action plan for strengthened education systems that will better prepare youth for the 21st century. You see, we now find ourselves at a critical juncture wherein we recognize the growing need for critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators and global citizens and yet, there's still so much more we can do to ensure that they graduate with the skill set they'll need to succeed. We're so lucky to live in a country where our education systems are among the best in the world. But we still need to prepare for a future full of challenges. And this is where you come in.

Canada 2067 has identified six pillars as part of the Canada 2067 action plan and is seeking input from all Canadians. Whether you are a student, an educator, a parent, a policy maker, a business leader, or a government leader, everyone is invited to share thoughts and opinions on:

how we learn
how we teach
what we learn
who’s involved
where education leads
cross-cutting issues

By participating in the conversation, you will help paint a clearer picture of the current state of STEM learning in Canada, and inform decisions that will affect our youth over the next 50 years.

Have Your Say

Here are some ways that you can help build a national vision for STEM learning:

Visit www.canada2067.ca and complete the "Have Your Say" Choicebook.
Encourage high school students to participate in a youth conversation online or through the conversation guides available at high schools across Canada.
Stay informed by signing up to receive news, articles and updates at www.canada2067.ca.
Get social. Follow the conversation on the Canada 2067 Facebook page and share with your family and friends, or join in the discussion on Twitter.

Join us for the #Can2067 Twitter chat on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET. During this chat, we will explore ways in which we can ensure youth are as prepared as possible for the rapidly changing world. Everyone is welcome to join in the conversation as we discuss key questions and issues surrounding STEM education in Canada.

Tweet you soon!

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Canada 2067. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, August 17, 2017
6 Comments

Start Making Faces with Avery

Back to School

Wednesday, August 16, 2017
15 Comments

How to Get Started with a Google CS First Coding Club

Coding

Tuesday, August 15, 2017
5 Comments

The Honest Company, Family-Friendly Products by Jessica Alba

Bath and Beauty

Have you ever heard of The Honest Company? I'm pretty sure you have, especially if you have heard of Jessica Alba. She co-founded The Honest Company back in 2012 with Christopher Gavigan in the hopes of creating a brand that families could turn to for trusted products that were not only safe but effective as well. I remember reading peoples' favourable reviews on social media but I hadn't tried any of the products until recently. Earlier this summer, I received a generous box of samples from The Honesty Company full of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and bubble bath, and now it's like I keep seeing them whenever I go shopping. Keep reading to find out which products our family liked most.

When it came to baby care products, I remember how much time I would spend in the aisles reading the labels before choosing ones that I felt were safe for my kids. I often chose those that were free from dyes, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals. Products that were also hypoallergenic and contained organic ingredients often ended up in my shopping cart. I tried a lot of different brands, some of which I never purchased again because I didn't like the scent or they weren't as impressive as the price tag. I was quite particular about body washes, shampoos and bubble baths, too. I know that how much a soap lathers doesn't really correlate to how well it cleans but I still preferred a product that could maintain a good amount of lather. This is why I like Honest Bubble Bath.

Honest Bubble Bath creates an excellent foam and, because it is plant-based, hypoallergenic and tear-free, I knew it would be perfect for my niece, a preschooler, and my nephew, a toddler. I decided to test out the bubble bath one day when I was over at their place babysitting. It didn't take much for the bath to fill with bubbles and the kids had lots of fun during bath time. I particularly liked the dreamy lavender scent, which was very pleasant. It is also available in Apricot Kiss and Sweet Orange Vanilla.

My favourite product in the bundle, however, was the Honest Shampoo + Body Wash. This 2-in-1 cleanser lathers quite well and left my skin feeling soft. I felt that it cleaned my hair well and again, the scents were pleasant, not overpowering. As with the bubble bath, it is available in the same three scents as well as fragrance-free, but I would definitely buy Sweet Orange Vanilla again. The conditioner was pretty good, too, but it likely won't replace my conventional go-to brand. However, since Honest Conditioner feels more like a water-based conditioner and is made without harsh chemicals, I've asked my daughter to use it from now on. She actually prefers it since it rinses out very well and doesn't feel heavy and oily like the brand I use. This is similar to Honest Face + Body Lotion. My daughter uses it regularly to moisturize her hands and loves the non-greasy formula. It is made with olive, shea, jojoba and safflower oils that helps to leave skin feeling soft and smooth. Her favourite scent is Dreamy Lavender.

These products are available to order directly from honest.com and range in price from $9.95 US for the lotion, shampoo and conditioner, to $11.95 US for the bubble bath. For my Canadian readers, you may have spotted Honest products in Shoppers Drugmart and other retailers. Last I checked, the price for the lotion, conditioner and shampoo was $13.49. But I did spot some hand soap that I'd like to try next and it costs only $7.99 for a 250 mL bottle. And for this week only, you can save 20% on all Honest Co products on Well.ca.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Monday, August 14, 2017
7 Comments

Getting Going with Google Drawings

G Suite for Education

Last year, I took a leap and submitted a couple of proposals to present at the EdTechTeam Toronto Summit featuring Google for Education. I was over the moon to be able to share some tips and tricks at such an inspiring event, one that lead me to pursue certification as a Google Certified Educator: Level 2. I have met so many talented educators who have taught me so much, it was such a great feeling to be able to contribute to the learning community. I even attempted a Demo Slam, although I messed up the joke I had planned at the last minute. But it didn't matter. Everyone was so supportive. When the summit was over, I started counting down to the next one. Or two!

This September, I hope to attend the Peel Summit on September 23-24, which is taking place in Brampton. I have already submitted a proposal for a beginners workshop centred around Google Drawings. Here is the description:

Tired of using the same old templates that lack a certain je ne sais quoi? In this session, you will learn tips and tricks that will glamify your Google Docs using the Google Drawings app. Learn how to manipulate layers, group objects, create a shadow effect, customize word art, design graphic organizers, and combine shapes to create your own clipart. Participants will also learn how to save clicks by utilizing keyboard shortcuts and how to convert a Google Drawing into a PDF file, JPEG, PNG or even a Scalable Vector Graphic which can be used with personal electronic cutting machines. Finally, participants will use their new-found skill set to edit master slides in a pre-made Google Slides template.

UPDATE: My session proposal has been accepted. Can't wait!

EdTechTeam Presenter 2017 - Diana Mancuso

I have embedded my presentation below, which I plan to tweak with some additional tips and ideas.

I will also be submitting a different proposal to present once again at the Toronto Summit, which will be taking place at Crescent School here in Toronto. Keep your fingers crossed for me, mkay? Thanks!